Antique Telescope Restored to Working Order by CASE Membership

 

Restoration Team (left ro right): David Cater, Mike Peterson (Treasurer), Patrick Carr (President)

 

Members of the Christian Association of Stellar Explorers have restored what may be the earliest telescope used for teaching science during the early 1900’s at John Brown University. After restoration, the telescope was donated back to JBU to become a permanent part of the memorabilia which marks the history of the university.

The circumstances of the restoration make an interesting story: Some two years ago, Everett Easley, Director of Facilities Services, discovered an old telescope in the science building at JBU. It appeared as if the telescope had not been used for several years and Mr. Easley was concerned that the instrument might be put aside or forgotten. He took the instrument to his home near Flint Creek, OK, hoping there might be some use for it in the future. Shortly after CASE was founded, Mr. Easley contacted Patrick Carr, president of CASE and asked if the club might have some use for the old telescope. After a brief inspection of the telescope by Patrick and fellow CASE members, David Cater and Michael Peterson, it was determined they could accomplish a fair restoration.

 

The restoration task was divided into parts. Patrick Carr took charge of the equatorial mount and conducted a search for any history associated with the old telescope. Michael Peterson restored the tripod parts. David Cater restored the telescope tube and cleaned and aligned the optical components. Some telescope parts had to be fabricated from equivalent modern materials, particularly the counterweight system. The telescope is mounted on a German equatorial head and the torque exerted by the optical tube in such a mechanical arrangement must be offset by a system of weights. These weights, and the shaft on which they traveled, could not be found at the time of the restoration attempt. These parts had to be made in such a way so as not to destroy the originalform of the instrument.

Early on, it was noted by the members of CASE, that restoration would mostly consist of laborious cleaning and polishing. For example, the optical tube was a dark, deeply oxidized color and only intense buffing could restore the original golden brass shine. The equatorial head, made of sand cast bronze and iron parts, required sandblasting to obtain the original appearance. The oak tripod legs, having lost virtually all of their original paint, required numerous coats of modern black paint to appear acceptable again. CASE members had no original plans or pictures of the old instrument to use as guides.

 

Thus, some of the restoration involved educated guesses as to original appearance. CASE members were also keenly aware that restoration was not their expertise. This awareness served well, especially when it came to the optical tube. Over the years, the tube had absorbed some very noticeable dents. Should the dents be removed, or left as momentos of use? It would have been an extremely delicate matter to work the thin brass tubing so as to remove the marks of hard use. It was decided that dent removal was beyond the capabilities of CASE members.

What appears now is a restored telescope with many marks of very active science education, including the usual mishaps such use always incurs. Research during the restoration project did unveil that the telescope was likely manufactured sometime between 1900 and 1920 by the Selsi Optical Company, located near Paris, France. The telescope is a refractor [it uses lenses] and is very like many brass instruments of the era, usually purchased either by wealthy amateurs or by colleges and universities to teach fundamental astronomy, common in the usual college curriculum in those days.

 

Exactly how the instrument came to be owned by John Brown University is a mystery. One speculation is that it was an early donation to the University early after the school was founded. Or, perhaps it was purchased outright for science instruction by early science faculty at JBU. If there are readers who recognize the old instrument and know something about its origins and use, please contact Ms. Jan Lancaster, the JBU Archivist, at 501-524-4610. She would be very interested in any pertinent history about the telescope and its use in early science education at JBU.

 

 

 

 

Picture of the full moon taken with the Selsi Refractor and a 35 mm camera, using eye-piece projection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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